Carnival has several cruises that frequent the ports of Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico. One in particular is Carnival Fantasy, a ship that includes its own water park, spa, sports park and club for teenagers. The Carnival Fantasy leaves New Orleans for a five-day Western Caribbean cruise that includes a stop in Progreso, a city just a bus ride away from Chichen Itza. Visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza on a seven-hour shore excursion where you will see the pyramid of Kulkulcan, the temple of the warriors and many more ancient Mayan structures. As of October 2009 this shore excursion of Chichen Itza cost $70 for adults and $50 for children. The price of the cruise is separate.
Calica is another port that has access to Chichen Itza. Carnival has a ship that sails from Mobile, Alabama to Calica called the Carnival Elation. This ship has an Internet cafe, a private "adults-only" retreat, a kid's club, a casino, a spa and a large restaurant buffet. Once you sail into port at Calica, a nine-hour excursion to Chichen Itza is waiting to take you on a narrated bus trip. Participants are served a full Mexican buffet and will walk through the ancient city. As of October 2009, prices for this excursion were $80 for both adults and children. The price of the cruise is separate.
For something a little more off the beaten path, consider sailing on Celebrity Cruises. Their cruise ships focuses on customer service and convenience. Sail from Miami, Florida, to Cozumel on the Celebrity Century. The ship features upscale dining, a luxurious spa, a full casino and enough entertainment and activities to keep you busy for days. Upon docking in the port of Cozumel, take a taxi to the Cozumel Airport to meet up with a Lomas Travel guide. You will then fly from Cozumel to Chichen Itza for a five-hour excursion in the ancient Mayan archaeological zone. This excursion is not a part of Celebrity Cruises' shore excursion itinerary and must be booked directly through Lomas Travel at lomas-travel.com. As of October 2009, rates for a flight tour from Cozumel to Chichen Itza were $240 per person.
